Heat radiating component

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a heat radiating component that includes plural heat radiating fins which are arranged with spaces therebetween and radiate heat from the plural heat radiating fins to air flowing through the spaces between the plural heat radiating fins. Air inflow ends of the plural heat radiating fins have such notch shapes in that alternately or cyclically different portions in an arrangement direction where the plural heat radiating fins are arranged are notched.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of PCT/JP2007/053613, filed on Feb.27, 2007.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to a heat radiatingcomponent that includes plural heat radiating fins which are arrangedwith spaces therebetween, and radiates heat from the heat radiating finsto air flowing through the spaces.

BACKGROUND

As an electronic apparatus has been increasingly advanced recently, itis provided with a large LSI having a high computing performancetherein. The amount of generated heat has been increased with theimprovement of the computing performance. Accordingly, a heat radiatingcomponent carrying out heat radiation for a such large LSI also isrequired to deliver increasingly high performance of heat radiation. Tosuch heat radiating component is usually applied a heat radiatingstructure in which a number of heat radiating fins arranged with spacestherebetween are provided, air is flown into the spaces in the heatradiating fins to conduct heat from the heat radiating fins to the airso that the air with a raised temperature is exhausted outside theapparatus. Japanese Laid-open Patent Publications No. H08-88301 and No.H11-103183 describe structures in which shapes and arrangements of theheat radiating fins are devised to obtain higher heat radiatingperformance.

Here, a major problem with a heat radiating component provided with anumber of heat radiating fins arranged with spaces therebetween asdescribed above is the following. While an electronic apparatus mountedwith such heat radiating component has been used for a long time, theheat radiating fins are attached with dust in air inflow ends thereof sothat the air flow is impaired and the heat radiating performance isdeteriorated. As a result, for example, a heat generating componentserving as an object for heat radiation such as a large LSI is lesscooled and thus has a high temperature, thereby causing the heatradiating component to malfunction or deteriorate. In the end, the heatradiating component may be damaged and the electronic apparatus may stopin operation.

Here, for reducing dust attaching to the heat radiating fins, there maybe some such ideas that the spaces between the heat radiating fins arewidened, or that the quantity of air may be decreased. However, suchmeasures are undesirable because such ideas result in deterioration ofheat radiating performance when the improvement of the heat radiatingperformance has been increasingly required as heat radiating quantity ofthe heat radiating component has been increased.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the invention, a heat radiating componentincludes plural heat radiating fins which are arranged with spacestherebetween so that the heat radiating component radiates heat from theplural heat radiating fins to air flowing through the spaces between theplural heat radiating fins. And the heat radiating fins have such notchshapes that portions that are at least one of alternately and cyclicallydifferent in an arrangement direction of the plural heat radiating finsare notched.

Because the heat radiating component of the invention includes the notchshape described above in the air inflow side of the beat radiating fins,an aperture of air inflow in the air inflow side edges is substantiallywidened and dust attaching is reduced while the heat radiatingperformance is maintained.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heat radiating component as afirst embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the heat radiating componentillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the heat radiating componentillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the heat radiating componentillustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by the circleR1 illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by the circleR2 illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a heat radiating component as asecond embodiment according to the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the heat radiating componentillustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by the circleR3 illustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates an outline perspective view of a heat absorbingplate included in the heat radiating component illustrated in FIG. 7;and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a shape of a heat pipeincluded in the heat radiating component illustrated in FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMOBODEIMENTS

Hereafter, embodiments according to the invention will be explained withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heat radiating component 10as a first embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates atop view of the heat radiating component 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.3 illustrates a front view of the heat radiating component illustrated10 in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the heat radiatingcomponent 10 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Further, FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated bythe circle R1 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged viewof a portion indicated by the circle R2 illustrated in FIG. 3.

This heat radiating component 10 includes a heat absorbing plate 11,multiple heat radiating fins 12 arranged with spaces therebetween. Theheat absorbing plate 11 is made of metal having a high heat conductionefficiency such as copper. The heat absorbing plate 11 plays a role thata bottom surface of the heat absorbing plate 11 is attached to a heatgenerating component (not illustrated) to absorb heat from the heatgenerating component, and a role that the heat absorbing plate 11 holdsthe multiple heat radiating fins 12 in a crimped state to conduct to theheat to the multiple heat radiating fins 12. The multiple heat radiatingfins 12 are also formed by a material having a high thermal conductionefficient such as aluminum or copper. Heat conducted from the heatgenerating component to the heat absorbing plate 11 is further conductedto the heat radiating fins and then to air flowing through the spaces inthe multiple heat radiating fins 12. Air, which has absorbed heat and isin a high temperature, is exhausted outside an electronic apparatus andthe like in which the heat generating component and the heat radiatingcomponent 10 are housed.

Here, in top ends and both side ends of the multiple heat radiating fins12 included in the heat radiating component 10, notch shapes are formedas enlargedly illustrated in FIG. 5. That is, each one of the heatradiating fins 12 has the notch shape in which the ends are notched toform projections 12 a and depressions 12 b repeatedly, and in theexample discussed here, the projections 12 a and 12 b between adjacentheat radiating fins of the plural heat radiating fins do not overlapeach other, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, the projections 12 a areformed in alternately different positions such that gaps f and gaps gbetween the projections 12 a and the projections 12 b are formed.

Thus, substantial apertures at the air inflow ends where air to thespaces in the heat radiating fins 12 flows in and at the air outflowends where air from the spaces in the heat radiating fins 12 flows outare wide, and dust attaching to the air inflow ends is reduced. Andsimultaneously, the resistance of air flowing the spaces of the heatradiating fins is also reduced and air flows more smoothly, contributingto preventing dust attaching, and in addition, leading to improvement ofthe heat radiating performance.

Incidentally, it is preferable that, in the present example, the openinggaps f and g between the projections are formed as illustrated in FIG.6. However, even though as these gaps f and g do not exist, for example,the projections are formed alternately such that the projectionspartially overlaps each other, the widening of substantial apertures asa whole of the air inflow ends and the air outflow ends of the heatradiating fins is ensured. Therefore, these gaps f and g are notnecessarily formed.

In addition, in the present example, without the air inflow ends and theair outflow ends being differentiated each other, the heat radiatingfins have the notch shapes in the three sides excluding the side crimpedby the heat absorbing plate 11. However, in a case where the air inflowends and the air outflow ends are known in advance, it is acceptablethat only the air outflow ends have the notch shapes. As dust isattached in the air inflow ends, dust attaching is decreased, as far asthe air inflow ends have the above described notch shapes.

Further, in the example explained here, the adjacent fins are notched inalternately different portions. However, for example, the notch shapesmay be formed in cyclically different portions, i.e., the notch shapesare repeatedly formed in same positions every three or four of the heatradiating fins.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a heat radiating component 20as a second embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates aside view of the heat radiating component illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion indicated by the circleR3 illustrated in FIG. 8.

Further, FIG. 10 illustrates an outline perspective view of a heatabsorbing plate 21 included in the heat radiating component 20illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating aheat pipe 25 included in the heat radiating component 20 illustrated inFIG. 7.

The heat radiating component 20 serving as the second embodiment isprovided with a heat absorbing plate 21 in a bottom end thereof.

This heat absorbing plate 21 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a heatabsorbing section 211 to absorb heat from a heat generating component(not illustrated), and four of arm sections 212 to fix the heatradiating component 20 illustrated in FIG. 7.

In this embodiment, the heat absorbing section 211 is formed from copperin order to ensure a good heat absorbing performance. The arm sections212 made of aluminum are crimped at its four corners. The heat absorbingsection 211 is formed with two grooves 211 a, in which the heat pipe 25described later (see FIG. 11) is arranged. In addition, the four armsections 212 are provided with mounting openings 212 a penetratingvertically through the arm section 212. As illustrated in FIG. 7, screwparts 22 go through the mounting openings 212 a. Using these screw parts22, the heat radiating component 20 is fixed to a casing or the like ofan electronic apparatus in a state where a top face of the heatgenerating component is pressed onto a bottom face of the heat absorbingsection 211. Incidentally, spring members 23 are provided to make itpossible to stably mount the heat radiating component 20 to the casingor the like in a state where the bottom face of the heat radiatingcomponent 20 is attached to the heat generating component.

In addition, the heat radiating component 20 illustrated in FIG. 7 andFIG. 8 are arranged with a number of heat radiating fins 24 crimped tothe heat absorbing section 211. A top face covered by a fan 26, and bothside faces of these heat radiating fins 24 have notch shapes asillustrated in FIG. 9. The notch shapes themselves are equivalent to thenotch shapes of the heat radiating fins 21 included in the heatradiating component 10 serving as the first embodiment. Thus, aredundant explanation will be avoided.

In addition, the heat radiating component 20 is provided with the heatpipe 25 having a shape as illustrated in FIG. 11. One end side of theheat pipe 25 is to be engaged in the groove 21 formed in the heatabsorbing section 211 of the heat absorbing plate 21, and extends fromthere, then curves to turn and extends in the arrangement direction ofthe heat radiating fins 24 to penetrate the heat radiating fins 24.

Thanks to the existence of the heat pipe 25, heat absorbed from the heatgenerating component by the heat absorbing section 211 is conductedeffectively through the heat pipe 25 to the heat radiating fins 24.

Further, the heat radiating component 20 illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG.8 is provided with the fan 26 in a position where the heat radiatingcomponent 20 covers a top end of the heat radiating fins 24. The fan 26blows air toward from the top ends of the heat radiating fins 24 to theheat radiating fins 24. Air blown into the spaces of the heat radiatingfins 24 from the top ends of the heat radiating fins 24 by the fan 26absorbs heat from the heat radiating fins 24 while going through thespaces of the heat radiating fins 24, and further, blows to the heatabsorbing plate 21 to directly absorb heat also from the heat absorbingplate 21 and then exhausted from the both side ends of the heatradiating fins 24.

The top ends of the heat radiating fins 24 also have notch shapessimilar to those formed in the side ends of the heat radiating fins 24.Thus, dust attaching to the air inflow ends serving as the top ends ofthe heat radiating fins 24 is reduced.

Incidentally, the fan 26 of the second embodiment is explained as a fanwhich blows air toward the heat radiating fins 24. However, this fan 26may be a fan which blows air in a direction of suctioning air from theheat radiating fins 24. In this case, the both side ends of the heatradiating fins 24 become air inflow ends. The heat radiating fins 24have the notch shapes also in both side ends. Thus, also in this case,dust attaching to the both side ends serving as the air inflow ends isreduced.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority andinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the presentinventions have been described in detail, it should be understood thatthe various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A heat radiating component, comprising: a plurality of heat radiatingfins which are arranged with spaces therebetween so that the heatradiating component radiates heat from the plurality of heat radiatingfins to air flowing through the spaces between the plurality of heatradiating fins, the heat radiating fins having such notch shapes thatportions that are at least one of alternately and cyclically differentin an arrangement direction of the plurality of heat radiating fins arenotched.
 2. The heat radiating component according to claim 1, whereinthe plurality of heat radiating fins further have air outflow ends thatalso have the notch shapes.
 3. The heat radiating component according toclaim 1, wherein when the ends having the notch shapes of the pluralityof heat radiating fins are viewed in the arrangement direction, a gap isformed between projected portions of adjacent heat radiation fins of theplurality of heat radiation fins.
 4. The heat radiating componentaccording to claim 1, further comprising a heat absorbing plate thatabsorbs heat from a heat generating component that is an object to becooled, the plurality of heat radiating fins being arranged to stand onthe heat absorbing plate.
 5. The heat radiating component according toclaim 4, further comprising a heat conduction member that contacts theheat absorbing plate and penetrates the plurality of heat radiating finsto conduct heat of the heat absorbing plate to the plurality of heatradiating fins.
 6. The heat radiating component according to claim 1,further comprising a fan that generates an air flow in the spacesbetween the plurality of heat radiating fins.
 7. The heat radiatingcomponent according to claim 6, wherein the fan is a fan that blows airinto the spaces between the plurality of heat radiating fins.
 8. Theheat radiating component according to claim 6, wherein the fan is a fanthat blows air out of the spaces between the plurality of heat radiatingfins.